No effective means is available to stop accumulation of plaques (amyloid deposits) that contribute to diabetes in domestic cats. We have discovered small molecules, named JF, that in test tubes inhibit clumping of the protein called feline Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (fIAPP) that is responsible for formation of pancreatic plaques in cats (i.e., pancreatic amyloidosis). Our long-term goal is to prevent these pancreatic deposits from forming in cats suffering from diabetes.This project will characterize how our JF small molecules bind to fIAPP and inhibit early stages of fIAPP clumping in order to help reduce pancreatic plaque accumulation and improve management of diabetes in cats.
Grants